Broadband News

Grow your own broadband

Lindsey Annison one of the Access to Broadband Campaign founders has been
talking to Graeme Wearden of ZDNet to announce the formation of the Community Broadband Network (CBN). CBN now exists so that community broadband projects who are taking the pro-active DIY
approach to getting broadband can have someone one to turn to for advice and expertise.

CBN has support from the E-commerce minister Stephen Timms, who has announced government support for the group. What many fail to realise is that funding is available for community projects via
RDAs such as SEEDA and EEDA, the trick is to get hold of it. CBN should help, since they will know the people to talk to, and how to structure any proposals.

In a week where many campaigners feel they have being stabbed in the back by BT, the news that the DIY approach is possible and help is out there will be very welcome. Lindsey said "If you
live in one of these areas, you shouldn't be downhearted because it's good news in some ways,", which is so true. The stark choice to be taken is if you want broadband then there are areas of
the UK where no commercial provider will take an interest in, and the only way it will happen is if someone in an area drives a community project forward.